Spline for connecting ceiling tile



July 25, 1961 D. A. BROWN 2,993,308

SPLINE FOR CONNECTING CEILING TILE Filed Sept. 8, 1958 ENTORS By ATTORNEYS.

. nii@ Patented July 25, 1961 of Ollio Filed Sept. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 759,501 2 Claims. (Cl. Sil- 440) This invention relates to an improvement in suspended kerfed-tile ceilings, and more particularly to a spline to prevent breathing at the joint between abutting tiles. If air is permitted to pass between abutting tiles, the currents set up entrain dirt which is deposited on the surface of the tiles adjacent the joint. This causes the tiles to become soiled along the joints more rapidly than in other areas and requires cleaning much more often than would otherwise be necessary.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved spline construction which automatically becomes centrally spaced between the abutting tiles when inserted in the kerfs thereof.

Another object is to provide a spline of this kind which eiectively stops movement of air around the spline.

A further object is to provide an improved spline having tapered ends which permit sliding the spline into the kerf of the tile and nesting with the runners by which the tiles are supported.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the spline construction of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational View showing the edges of several abutting tiles supported by runners, the splines being disposed within the kerf of the tiles;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view through a portion of a tile and the spline disposed in the kerf thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

In the conventional ceiling construction the tiles 14 are vsupported by the lianges 111 of runners 12 secured to urring strips (not shown). Each tile 14 has a kerf 16 running around its entire periphery about midway between the top and bottom surfaces. The edges of thetile which engage the anges 1'1 of the runners are pretty well closed olf so that very little air will pass therebetween. However, between the joints which run at right angles to the runners there is no means for preventing the undesirable breathing from taking place. The splines of the present invention are adapted to be inserted between the kerfs which run at right angles to the runners flr this purpose, as well as for transverse support of the ti es.

The spline is formed from a strip of metal. A multiplicity of individual bead-like protuberances are produced by deforming the metal strip along its longitudinal center line. The protuberances, identified by the numeral 20, are approximately hemispherical in shape, and preferably are spaced uniformly `along the length of the spline. If desired, the spline may have a longitudinally extending rib 22 also coinciding with the center line of the metal strip. Rib 22 runs between the protuber-ances 20 and serves to render the spline more rigid. The rib also defines a stop against which the edge of the tile abuts. The rib is narrower than the protuberances as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing so that the protuberances actually do the spacing of abutting tiles.

Each of the marginal edges of the strip are bent underneath the face opposite the face from which the protuberances 20 project to form an acute angle with said first-mentioned tace. These turned-over edges are identilied by the numeral 24 and are best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. The preferred angles are those which will cause the very edge of the strip to become embedded in the cellulose material from which the tiles are usually made.

The ends of the spline are pinched so that the turnedover portions 24 abut the underside of the spline, as indicated at 28. This provides a space beneath the spline which will accommodate the flange 11 of the runner 12 on which the spline rests, as best shown in FIGURE 2. The tapered end also permits sliding the spline over the iunner flange. A ridge 26 is provided at either end of the yspline just beyond the pinched portion to stillen the end of the spline so that it can be inserted into the kerf of the tile without deformation. Ridges 26 coincide with the rib 22 and project above the surface of the spline to approximately the height of the protuberances 20.

As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the spline is inserted in the opposed kerfs 16 of two abutting tiles and by reason of the protuberances 20 becomes centered over the joint between the tiles. The gap 30 above the spline and between abutting tiles is normally provided for the web portion of the runner 12. However, in the joints which extend transversely of the runners, no runner is used and, consequently this gap cooperates with the protuberances 20 to center the spline. Although these protuberances are shown to be approximately hemispherical, it will be understood that they may be conical, semi-cylindrical or other suitable shape in fwhich the walls of the protuberances slope upwardly tolward a peak.

The turned-down edges 24 bite into the soft material of the tile and thus shut off any circulation of air which might pass through the joint 18 between abutting tiles.

From this description it will be obvious that the improved spline construction of the invention is not only simple in construction but is very eliicient in its operation. It positively prevents circulation of air through the joints and arrests the undesirable breathing which results in soiled tiles.

Other modications of my invention will occur to those skilled in the art. IIt is my intention not to limit my invention other than as necessitated by the scope of the appended claims,

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A spline for insertion in the kerfed edges of abutting tiles comprising a strip of metal having a multiplicity of individual bead-like protuberances spaced `along its longitudinal center line and projecting from one face thereof, the marginal edges of said strip being turned under, each forming an acute angle with the other face thereof, and a rib running along said longitudinal center line beneath said protuberances, said rib being narrower than said protuberances.

2. The spline construction of claim 1 wherein the ends of the spline are flattened except for a ridge aligned with said rib and projecting above the surface of the spline to approximately the height of said protuberances.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 156,789 Haley et al Nov. 10, 1874 1,970,692 Earley Aug. 21, 1934 1,984,028 Macleod Dec. 11, 1934 2,154,734 Doing Apr. 18, 1939 2,191,267 Willson Feb. 20, 1940 2,807,993 Ericson Oct. 1, 1957 2,858,584 Gaines Nov. 4, 1958 

